Two uniformed police officers stepped into the living room, led by Detective Vance in a dark trench coat. He carried a black digital tablet under his arm and a manila folder in his left hand.
Detective Vance: Good afternoon, Mr. Vance. Mrs. Vance.
Daniel: Thank you for coming so quickly, Detective.
Chloe: Detective! Thank goodness you're here! I want this man arrested immediately for physical assault!
Chloe pointed her finger at Daniel, turning to show her red cheek to the officers.
Chloe: He slapped me across the face in the garden! Look at my skin! And his maid stole my expensive jewelry from my suite!
Detective Vance: Miss Chloe Reed, keep your voice down while we review the evidence.
Chloe: What evidence? I am the victim here!
Detective Vance tapped the screen of his digital tablet and turned it around so everyone in the room could see the video playing on the screen.
Detective Vance: We pulled the high-definition security camera feed from the garden courtyard fifteen minutes ago. The camera mounted right under the American flag on the wall.
On the screen, the video clearly showed Chloe holding the brass garden hose nozzle, smiling cruelly as she blasted high-pressure water directly at Martha's face while Sarah tried to shield her.
Detective Vance: The audio feed is crystal clear, Miss Reed. You can be heard saying, 'Maybe this will teach you a lesson,' while Mrs. Vance cries for help.
Chloe's jaw dropped open. She swallowed hard, staring at the screen in complete disbelief.
Chloe: That... that video is fabricated! It's an AI manipulation!
Detective Vance: The camera feed is encrypted and fed directly to the state police server, Miss Reed. It cannot be edited.
Daniel: What about the forged documents, Detective?
Detective Vance: Our forensic handwriting expert verified the signatures on the power of attorney form ten minutes ago. They are complete forgeries.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway once again. A tall man in a grey suit walked into the living room holding a leather briefcase. It was Richard Reed, Chloe's father.
Richard Reed: Chloe! What is taking so long? The corporate board meeting starts in an hour!
Chloe: Dad! Tell them! Tell them Daniel forged those papers to frame us!
Richard Reed: What are you talking about, Chloe? Did you get the stock certificates signed?
Martha: Hello, Richard. It's been a long time since you stepped foot in my house.
Richard Reed froze when he saw Martha sitting on the sofa, dry, composed, and holding the black binder in her hands.
Richard Reed: Martha? I thought... Chloe said you were staying at the private medical facility in Boston.
Martha: Chloe lied to you, Richard. Just like you lied to the Vance Logistics board members about your firm's solvency.
Daniel: Detective Vance, do you have the secondary arrest warrant ready?
Detective Vance: Right here, Mr. Vance.
Richard Reed backed away toward the living room doorway, his face turning pale as Detective Vance pulled a second set of steel handcuffs from his belt.
Richard Reed: What secondary warrant? I haven't done anything illegal!
Detective Vance: Richard Reed, you are under arrest for corporate conspiracy, bank fraud, and illegal wire laundering in connection with the Bahamas shell company.
Richard Reed: Chloe! You told me the Bahamas account was completely untraceable!
Chloe: I thought it was! Dad, do something! Don't let them handcuff you!
Richard Reed: You stupid girl! You ruined our entire business!
Daniel: Take them both out of my house, Detective.